Find your stay in Sun Valley
Explore homes for every kind of mountain escape
Where the chairlift was invented
Sun Valley opened in December 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort, built by the Union Pacific Railroad in a mining town called Ketchum
Its visitors enjoy long, evenly pitched runs paired with a walkable main street, premier accommodations, and an unusual amount of winter sunshine. Sun Valley splits across two mountains: Dollar Mountain is gentle and treeless, built for first-timers and early progression, while Bald Mountain drops 3,400 vertical feet at a consistent grade from summit to base: a pitch that requires almost no traversing and gives the mountain its reputation among strong skiers. Beyond the slopes, Ketchum sits a short distance from the resort village, with restaurants, galleries, and shops.